Photographic product



April 15, 1958 o, E, WOLFF 2,830,901-

PHOTOGRAPHIC pxonuc'r Filed April 22, 1955 llu Ha VIII/1,0233% mw 'fi'mi l0 l2b llb ll IO l2b llb H FIG-3 FIG. 4

M 5 1 2% Maw ATTORNEYS United States Patent "ice v PHGTOGRAPHIC PRODUCT Otto E. Wolff, Weston, Mass, assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass a corporation of Delaware Application April 22,1955, Serial No. 503,064 Claims. 01. 96-76) This invention relates to photography and more particularly to novel photographic elements comprising both nonphotosensitive and photosensitive portions.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide improved photosensitive elements comprising both photosensitive and nonphotosensitive areas, wherein said photosensitive element affords a continuity of surface for the application of a processing liquid thereto.

A further object is to provide photosensitive elements comprising a plurality of photosensitive and nonphotosensitive areas, and which are particularly useful in diffusion transfer reversal processes.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a photosensitive element wherein the exposable and nonexposable areas are united by means of joints of substantially the same thickness as the areas joined.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved products of the above type wherein an economy of material and simplicity of manufacture are achieved.

Other objects of the invention Will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the product possessing the feature, properties and the relation of components which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is an isomeric, partially cutaway, top plan view of a photosensitive product in accordance with this invention;

, Fig. 2 is a schematic, vertical sectional view of a product of the invention in use in a camera device;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, vertical sectional view along the length of one embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, vertical sectional view along the length of a further embodiment of the invention.

This invention relates generally to photosensitive products of the type employed in diffusion transfer-reversal processes. In particular, it relates to a composite photographic product of the type which comprises an imagecarrying or image-receiving element or layer, a container releasably confining a liquid, and a photosensitive element orlayer defining a plurality of exposable or negative areas. The liquid, when applied to predetermined, corresponding areas of said elements, accomplishes a predetermined processing of an exposed negative area of the photosensitive element. This processing preferably comprises the concurrent development of a latent negative image contained in an exposed negative area of the photosensitive element and the formation of a positive image on a corresponding area of the image-receiving element.

Diffusion transfer-reversal processes of the type herein contemplated and photographic products suitable for use therein have been described in various patents, for ex- I 2,830,901 Patented Apr. 15,1958

- ample, U. S. Letters Patent Nos. 2,543,181, issued Febtainers is secured transversely to its associated layer adjacent a transverse edge of an image area on the imagereceiving layer, the spacing between the containers defining these image areas. Each container is-preferably capable of releasing its contained liquid for spreading toward the next succeeding container.

Extending from the roll of the photosensitive layer is a leader portion of the photosensitivelayer, extending from the roll of the image-receiving layer is a leader portion of the image-receiving layer, and means are preferably provided for securing together these two leader por-f tions and also for maintaining each roll in its rolled-up condition.

The image-receiving layer preferably has on one surface thereof a predetermined series of areas serving as positive image areas uponwhich positive images of the latentimages contained in the exposed negative areas of' the photosensitive layer are to be formed. As mentioned previously, the spacing of the containers defines these positive image areas, there preferably being sufficient space between the containers to allow for borders and a trap for excess liquid spread from one container towards the next succeeding container. The photosensitive layer has a predetermined series of photosensitive areas capable of being brought into coincidence with an exposure framing means in the camera, these areas being referred to as exposable or negative areas. The exposable or negative areas are so arranged as to be capable of being brought, after exposure, into superimposed, registered relationship with corresponding image-receiving areas on the imagereceiving layer, and preferably coincidentally with the rupture of the associated container and the spreading of its released liquid between the superimposed areas.

Suitable means may be provided for maintaining the.

photosensitive and image-receiving elements separately in. rolled-up condition prior to use. Suitable means may also be provided for securing together leader portions of" said elements whereby at least part of each leader portion is held in registered relation with the other leader portion, and said rolls are positioned in at least substantial contact with each other and are r'eleasa'bly secured in said layer including an initial leader portion, a leader portion between each such exposable area, and a follower portion This structure extending from the last exposable area. results in a substantial waste of the expensive photosensitive material since the various leader and follower portions do not utilize their photosensitive stratum.

It has now been found that the photosensitive layer 7 may be composed of at least a nonphotosensitive portion and at least an exposable, photosensitive or negative portion, wherein said negative area is spliced or joined to said nonphotosensitive area, as will be further described herein. In a preferred embodiment, the photosensitive layer comprises a plurality of such nonphotosensitive portions and negative portions. 7 Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure l,

3 there is illustrated one embodiment of this invention wherein a photosensitive element or layer comprises a plurality of negative areas 11 joined or spliced to nonphotosensitive areas It by suitable splices or scarf joints 12.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the use of photographic products of the type herein disclosed in a camera device, which has suitable mechanism for processing the film after exposure thereof whereby to effect the desired positive image formation. An example of a suitable camera is that described and claimed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,455,111, issued to Joseph T. Carbone et al. on November 30, 1948, and sold commercially as the Polaroid Land Camera, Model 95. In this figure, a photosensitive layer 17 is unwound from a roll thereof, not shown, to position a negative area 11 behind an exposure framing means, not shown. The photosensitive layer 17 comprises a plurality of nonphotosensitive or leader areas joined by scarf joints 12 to negative areas 11 each of which comprises a photosensitive emulsion or stratum 11a carried on a support material 11b. A roll, not shown, of an image-receiving layer 16 comprising a plurality of image areas and containers 14 containing the processing liquid is positioned so as to be unwound coincidental with the unwinding and advancing of the photosensitive layer 17. Leader portions of photosensitive layer 17 and of the image-receiving layer 16 are joined together by suitable means so that corresponding portions of the image-receiving layer 16 and the photosensitive layer 17 may be spread apart during exposure and so that the image-receiving layer may be brought into intimate contact with the photosensitive layer after exposure has occurred. Processing of the exposed negative area is elfected by means of a pull exerted upon the joined leader portions of the photosensitive layer 17 and the image-receiving layer 16 to advance these layers between a pair of rollers 15 whereby the photosensitive stratum 11a of the exposed negative area 11 is brought into superposed, registered relationship with a predetermined image area of the image-receiving layer 16 for suitable processing. Pulling the photosensitive layer 17 and the image-receiving layer 16 between the rollers 15 effects the rupture of a container 14 and the spreading 'of the processing liquid thus released between the superposed, exposed negative area 11 and the image area. After a predetermined processing time the imagereceiving layer is stripped ofi to reveal the positive image.

As mentioned previously, the splice or scarf joint 12 may be of any suitable type, such, for example, as a feather scarf joint 12a as illustrated in Fig. 3, or a shoulder scarf joint, such as the shoulder scarf joint 12b illustrated in Fig. 4. A lap scarf joint may be used where the negative portion is not pressure sensitive or where the spliced photosensitive element is stored under conditions reducing any pressure or abrasion effects caused by the ridge of the overlapping joint. The joints are formed by appropriate skiving of the edges of the negative and nonphotosensitive areas and placing the skived edges in overlying relation and uniting said edges together by a suitable adhesive, hot melt or cement. The adhesive is preferably waterproof, substantially inert to photographic chemicals, such as developing agents, alkali, etc., commonly employed in diffusion transfer-reversal processes, substantially inert to the photographic emulsion, capable of forming a joint capable of withstanding the pull exerted upon the photosensitive element when in use, and sufficiently stable to permit storage for an extended period. The stiffness characteristics across the joint are preferably substantially the same as those of the nonphotosensitive and negative portions; this avoids possible discontinuous areas which might cause fogging.

Where the processing of the exposed negative area is to be effected by the spreading across the scarf joint of a processing liquid released by rupture of a container 14, the spliced photosensitive element should present a sub- '4" stantial continuity, i. e., evenness, of surface to facilitate spreading of such liquid across the scarf joint.

The scarf joint is preferably no thicker than the materials joined. This is desirable since a bulge in the photosensitive layer may increase the pull required to advance the photosensitive layer and may cause fogging of the negative emulsion due to pressure from such ridges in the rolled-up photosensitive layer. Such an effect may be avoided by the use of a acupressure-sensitive emulsion or by use of storage conditions which reduce such pressure effects. Uniformity of thickness throughout the spliced photosensitive layer is also desirable to facilitate spreading of the processing liquid released by rupture of the container 14. A shoulder scarf joint, such as that illustrated in Fig. 4, is preferred as it facilitates aligning the negative and nonphotosensitive areas and joining said areas without an overlap of the skived edges.

Maximum saving of photosensitive emulsion is obtained by effecting the scarf joint as close as possible to the negative area actually exposed in the exposure framing means. It is desirable that the scarf joint be relatively narrow, for example one-eighth of an inch in width, as this also reduces the amount of photosensitive material used in excess over that required to form a negative area.

The negative and nonphotosensitive areas are ordinarily joined by a scarf joint substantially perpendicular to the edges of the materials; this effects the maximum saving of photosensitive emulsion. Oblique scarf joints may be used where joints of added strength are desired; the angle of such oblique scarf joints is preferably kept small to obtain maximum saving of the photosensitive emulsion.

The exposable or negative areas 11 of the photosensitive layer 17 comprise a support layer 11b of any suitable material, such as a suitable paper base, upon which is coated a photosensitive stratum 11a, such as a gelatino silver halide emulsion. The nonphotosensitive or leader areas 10 of the photosensitive layer may be of any suitable nonphotosensitive material which is relatively inexpensive and preferably is waterproof and of substantially the same thickness of the negative areas 11. The nonphotosensitive areas are preferably of a paper base, which may be light opaque. The gluing of the scarf joint may be facilitated by using negative areas having a support 11b formed of the same type of material as that used to form the nonphotosensitive areas 10.

The details of the skiving mechanism form no part of the present invention and therefore need not be described. Any suitable skiving mechanism may be employed. It will be apparent that the skiving should be performed in the dark to avoid fogging of the photosensitive emulsion.

The nature or construction of the image-receiving layer, the processing liquid and its container form no part of the present invention and are adequately described in the art; note, for example, the cited patents to Edwin H. Land.

Since certain changes may be made in the above product without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A photographic product comprising, in combination, a photosensitive element and an image-receiving element adapted to be mounted in superposed relation with said photosensitive element during photographic processing thereof, said photosensitive element comprising a plurality of alternately spaced photosensitive silver halide emulsion portions, capable of being exposed, and nonphotosensitive portions including a nonphotosensitive leader, said photosensitive and nonphotosensitive portions being joined together endwise by scarf joints to form an integral, continuous photosensitive element; a silver halide developing agent; and a plurality of rupturable containers, each of said containers releasably holding a predetermined quantity of a processing liquid and being capable of releasing said liquid for spreading across a predetermined area of a photosensitive portion so as to effect development of exposed silver halide and formation of a positive image on said image-receiving element.

2. A photographic product as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of rupturable containers are spaced predetermined distances from each other and are sequentially arranged on a surface of said image-receiving element. i

3. A photographic product as defined in claim 1 wherein said silver halide developing agent is contained in said processing liquid.

4. A photographic product as defined in claim 1 wherein said scarf joints are feather scarf joints. p

5. A photographic product as defined in claim 1 Wherein said scarf joints are shoulder scarfjoints. I i

6. A photographic product as defined in claim 1 wherein said scarf joints are substantially perpendicular to the edges of said portions.

7. A photographic product as defined in claim 1 wherein said photosensitive element has a substantial continuity of surface. p

8. A photographic product as defined in claim lwherein said integral, continuous photosensitive elements is of a substantially uniform thickness.

9. A photographic product as defined in claim 1 wherein said photosensitive portions of said photosensitive element are adapted to be brought into superposed, registered relationship with predetermined areas of said image-receiving element.

10. A photographic product as defined in claim 9, wherein said photosensitive element is releasably maintained in a rolled-up condition, said image-receiving element is releasably maintained in a rolled-up condition by means independent of the means for maintaining the photosensitive element in a roll, and including means securing together leader portions of said photosensitive and imagereceiving elements whereby at least part of each leader portion is held in registered relation with the other leader portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,312,052 Cartorius et a1. Aug. 5, 1919 2,049,523 Sponable Aug. 4, 1936 2,630,385 Wolfi Mar. 3, 1953 

1. A PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PHOTOSENSITIVE ELEMENT AND AN IMAGE-RECEIVING ELEMENT ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED IN SUPERPOSED RELATION WITH SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE ELEMENT DURING PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING THEREOF, SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE ELEMENT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ALTERNATELY SPACED PHOTOSENSITIVE SILVER HALIDE EMULSION PORTIONS, CAPABLE OF BEING EXPOSED, AND NONPHOTOSENSITIVE PORTIONS INCLUDING A NONPHOTOSENSITIVE LEADER, SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE AND NONPHOTOSENSITIVE PORTIONS BEING JOINED TOGETHER ENDWISE BY SCARF JOINTS TO FORM AN INTERGRAL, CONTINUOUS PHOTOSENSITIVE ELEMENT, A SILVER HALIDE DEVELOPING AGENT, AND A PLURALITY OF RUPTURABLE CONTAINERS, EACH OF SAID CONTAINERS RELEASABLY HOLDING A PREDETERMINED QUANTITY OF A PROCESSING LIQUID AND BNEING CAPABLE OF RELEASING SAID LIQUID FOR SPREADING ACROSS A PREDETERMINED AREA OF A PHOTOSENSITIVE PORTION SO AS TO EFFECT DEVELOPMENT OF EXPOSED SILVER HALIDE AND INFORMATION OF A POSITIVE IMAGE ON SAID IMAGE-RECEIVING ELEMENT. 